It’s always good to hear from someone who has read this column and received a blessing, or maybe they just “got a kick” out of one of my stories or memories.

Recently I was blown away when I heard from a lady who was interested in my place of birth. Sometime in the past, I had written about being born in an old apartment over my dad’s business, at 24 Sugg St., in Madisonville, Kentucky. An amateur sleuth whose in-laws had purchased the building had Googled the address and the name “Playl.”

Guess what! Out of cyberspace an old column from the website of a newspaper in Middle Tennessee just…appeared. After Christy Howard emailed the paper a couple of times, her email was forwarded on to me by the editor of the Sparta Expositor, and I answered her inquiry.

That’s when I learned that Christy’s in-laws, JoElla and Derek Bannister, had bought 24 Sugg St. for their business. Brad, Christy’s husband, works with his parents. Was it possible, they wanted to know, that I might have some pictures of the building when it was Playl Electric Company? And, would I be willing to share them?

Also, they plan to turn the old upstairs into a “loft partment!” Imagine that! In a feeble attempt at humor, I’ve been saying I was born in a loft apartment. Now the place I remembered as a small living space for my brother and his first wife when they were newlyweds – where Uncle Whit and Aunt Iva lived for a short time between homes – but mostly remembered as vacant rooms where junk was stored…now that space is actually going to be transformed into a REAL loft apartment.

Now, here’s the best part. Derek and Brad will use the rear part of the building for storage for their remodeling business. Their business is called “ALL THINGS NEW!” The name comes from Revelation 21:5, “…He that sat upon the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new…”

There’s more…you may have guessed by the naming of the remodeling business that Sammie and I have come in contact with a family of believers, but JoElla hopes to open a Christian bookstore in the front of the building. In space where Kelvinator refrigerators, freezers, washers, and dryers used to sit as floor models will be Bibles and other spiritual reading material and gifts.

Speaking of gifts, the greatest gift in this story is the knowledge that the old building where I was born, where my mother and dad eked out a modest living, will become the location for businesses that are grounded in Christ. Nothing could please by parents more. I can only imagine their joy as they observe from heavenly portals.

JoElla and Brad have written scripture verses all over the peeling walls of the upstairs. Some were sent to me by email and text message. One which really spoke to my heart was Romans 8:31, “What, then, shall we say in response to these things: If God be for us, who can be against us?”

As you enter a new year, remember who said, “…I make all things new…” His gifts are not just “stuff.” As you receive His good and perfect gifts you can, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…” (Colossians 3:16)

comments » 1

Comment by Joyce England

January 3, 2019 at 10:48 am

This is an awesome story. I loved it.

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